Railway signaling system.



G. DALI ZN.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION 'FILED JULY I|.I9II.

1,153,840. PatentedSept. 14, 1915.

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COLUMBIA PLANUGRM H (IO-,WASHINOTON. D. c.

e. DALEN.

' RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

v APPLICATION FILED JULY 1'. 9H. 1,153,840,

In V611 tor:

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PatentedSept. 14, 1915.

QOLUMBKA FLANOCIRAFH CDnV/ASHINO ON. B. C.

GUSTAF DALEN, 0F STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, ASSIGNOR T0 SVENSKA AKTIEBOLAGET GASACCUMULATOR, OF S'I'OCKHOLM, SWEDEN.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 14, 1915.

Application filed July 1, 1911. Serial No. 636,440.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAF DALI JN, a subject of the Kingof Sweden, residing at No. 104 Odengaten, Stockholm, Sweden, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal devices for railroads, and has for its object to make possible a greater variety of signals than are used at present, and to make the signals more distinct for thelocomotiveengineers.

The purpose of this invention'is to substitute flash signals for the present styles of illuminated signals, or to use the former in combinations with the latter. As these flash signals may be white or-colored, as desired, it may be readily understood that a multitude of signal combinations can be obtained. Used singly or in combinations, they are more easily observed and more quickly read off than is possible with signals of the old pattern. The source oflight used can be either gas or electricity; Lamps not necessary to be seen during certain periods may be temporarily screened off or extinguished automatically and all signals can be changed with greatest facility;

In the accompanyi 1, 2, 3 and 4' are diagrammatic views. Fig. 5 is a front view ofa signaling device embodying the invention. Fig. 6 is a side view of the device shown in-Fig. 5.

To illustrate this invention, reference is made to the diagrammatic views shown in Figs. l4. A number of signal devices in current use are shown, also possibilities of new combinations. Fig. 1 shows a group in which each semaphore is provided with a mast 1, 2, 3, an arm 4, 5, 6 and a lantern 7, 8, 9. The arms are intended'for daylight signals and the lanterns for signaling at night. Lantern 8 (in two circles) is for intermittent flashes and side lanterns 7 and 9 for constant lights. This figure shows a signal combination suitable for a railroad junction, where three lines meet (one main line in the center,- and a branch on either side). In a case like-this one signal is of greater importance than the others and should be more distinct. Lantern'Sshows a signal with intermittent flashes, which must and can be seen at great distance, while lanterns 7 and 9 give stationary lights or are dark or screened off. The intermittent ng'. drawings, Figures 6 the semaphore arms and 7, 8, 9 the signal lanterns. 8 represents a'lantern with intermittent light, white or colored, while lanterns 7 and 9 give stationary lights, white or colored. According to the signal system in use, the flash signal in this group may be used in combination with the other lights in the same group, each combination having a meaning of its own. The flash may be placed at the bottom (Fig. 2), on top (Fig. 3), or in the center (Fig. 4). By varying the number of signal lanterns in each group, as well as their relative positions, the presence in the group. of one or more intermittent flash lanterns will allow a far greater number of signal combinations than would be possible if only stationary lights were burning.

Figs. 5' and 6 show in two side views the methods to be followed when, in placing a signal, lanterns may be lighted or darkened automatically, as required. Gas is the illuminating factor. 1 shows the semaphore mast, 4 the upper semaphore arm, and 5 the lower semaphore arm. These arms can be turned in the usual manner around axles 10, 11, and may be provided with counter weights 12, 13. 7 is the lantern associated with arm 4, which is supposed to give a stationary light, 8 is the lantern associated with arm 5, which may be considered as giving an intermittent light. This lantern (8) is connected with a gas pipe, in 'which is inserted a supply regulator 15, and a pressure regulator 16, andis connected to a tank containing gas under pressure, thus, if desired, acetylene gas may be used. The lantern is provided with a burner, a lighting pipe, and an automatic valve, which at certain intervals opens and closes the gas supply to the burner. As such apparatus are well known and extensively used for marine illumination on 1ight= houses or otherwise, and as their construction is not the main subject at issue in this invention, a special drawing of this'lantern is not considered necessary. 18, 19 show the difierently colored glasses of the semaphore arm a, with screens, and 20, 21 the differently colored glasses of semaphore arm will again be lighted to throw intermittent light. This operation is performed by opening regulator 15. Of course the arm 5 can, if desired, be connected with regulator 15 for lighting-or extinguishing lantern 8. If the signal lanterns are furnished with electric lights the arrangements for their automatic lighting or darkening may be considerably simplified. Y The up and down movements of the semaphorearms will open and close the electric currents..

This arrangement should be easilyunderstood without special drawing. l/Vhat has been said in regard to semaphores, is equally true of every other signaling device, pro vided it is fitted with rotatable disks or arms, for showing signals by daylight and with lanterns by night. i 7 r Having described the invention, what 'I claim is as follows:

1. In railway signaling apparatus, in combination, a support, an automatically operating flash-light lantern positioned upon the support, a source of supply for saidlantern, means for connecting the lantern with the source, a semaphore movably mounted upon the support, and means operatively associated with the semaphore for controlling the connection between source and lantern. i

2. In railway signaling apparatus, in combination, a semaphore support provided with a pair of semaphores mounted to be arranged in the difl'erent positions in order to have different interpretations, a constantly burning gas lantern mounted on the said support andcontrolled by one of said semaphores, and an automatically operating gas flashlight lantern mounted on the support and being controlled by the other of said semaphores.

Copies of this patent maf; be obtained for' five cents each, by'add'ressing'. the Washington, D. G.

7 3. In railway signaling apparatus, in combination, a support, a plurality of semaphores mounted movably upon the support and adapted to be arranged in different positions to have difierent interpretations, a constantly illuminated lantern arranged upon the support and associated with one ofsaid controlled by one of the semaa semaphore provided upon the support, an

automatically operating flash-light lantern mounted upon thesuppor-t, a source of supply for the last mentioned lantern, means for connecting the said lantern with. the source, and means 'operatively associated with the said semaphore for-controlling the connection between source and lantern.

5. In railway signaling apparatus, in

combination; a support, an automatically operating flash-light lantern mountedupon the support, a movable semaphoreprovided upon the support and associated with the said lantern, a transparent screen carried by the said semaphore and adapted to inter cept the light emitted from the lantern when the former occupies one of its opera tern positioned upon the support, a second semaphore movably mountedupon the support and associated with the second lantern,

and a transparent screen provided upon the last mentioned'semaphore and adapted to intercept the light emitted from 'the'sec 0nd lantern when the corresponding semaphore occupies one-ofits-operative positions,

the said screens being of diflierent colors.

6. In railway signaling apparatus, in

combination, a support, an' automatically operating gas flash light lantern, mounted on the support, a conduit leading to said lantern from a gas receiver, mounted on the mast, a valve 'in said'conduit, and'a semaphore, mounted to oscillate on the support, said semaphore being operatively connected.

to said valve, whereby movement of said close said'conduit. r

In testimony whereof I have signed my semaphore'will actuate said valve to open or name to this specificationinthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

V GUSTAF- DALEN. Witnesses: 5 V I WILLIAM P.'Jo1 ms, J OHN A. 'PERcIvAL,

Commissioner 7 of Patents,"

90 tive positions, a constantly illuminated lan- 

